A Note to College Graduates

All of you have graduated from high school and all made it through college. You are now on your own, starting your careers. I’m proud of the people you are becoming, but would like to write an open letter to you about the future.

All your life you have been reminded that words mean something. I would like to add “you become what you think about.” It is these two ideas I would like to emphasize.

President Obama made a statement about keeping the insurance you have if you like it. This is being proven incorrect. Going forward, every statement he makes will be judged in a more critical manner because of his proven ability to shade statements to push his agenda. It had nothing to do with lying, and everything to do with him trying to pass a law. You will see in the coming days the Presidents credibility declining, and more questions being asked about previous statements. Some will defend his wording and others will attack him. None of that is the point, the point is about being careful when selling yourself or an idea.

It is always best to bring a positive attitude to any conversation. If you are creditable, more people will listen to you. If people come to count on your well-reasoned arguments, more people will rely on you. Years ago I read the statement of a man who started a large insurance company. He said if you place your clients’ needs first in every transaction, you would never have to worry about your own circumstances. I can’t remember the exact quote, but this idea has served me well and it will do the same for you. This same idea works if you are looking for a job. People have a tendency to oversell themselves, and then wonder why they have a job they don’t enjoy. If you always present your true self, you will find yourself matched to excellent opportunities, which will place values on the skills you have, not the skills you sold the HR department.

The second area is the idea that you become what you think about. I've heard it expressed many ways. I first heard it from Bob Proctor, but have since read variations of it from Earl Nightingale, Gandhi, Lao Tzu and Buddha. There are a number of reasons why every young person should pay attention to this idea. But the one I’ve found most interesting is the “vibe” one has. You may have experienced walking into a room and instantly forming a bond with another person. You may have also walked into a room and met someone who made you uncomfortable. I continue to believe positive attitudes attract positive people and negative attitudes deflect positive people. You cannot be a service to the community with a negative attitude. Stinking thinking leads to stinking results.

Work hard to avoid long term associations with people who are negative. Being for or against an idea does not make for negative thinking…giving up and refusing to take positive steps lead to negative attitudes. If you can’t do something about the problem, leave it alone. If you can do something about a problem, it is your responsibility to put positive energy into solving the problem.

Refuse to be a victim. Being a victim is negative energy. Not everything works, not all ventures are successful. Actually, you will learn a lot from your failures. It is not what happens to you, but what you think happened to you, that makes the difference. If you have a venture go south, stop and think about what you learned. On the next venture use the previous failure as the foundation for doing better in the future. Over the years I’ve known a number of people who failed numerous times and eventually became very successful. Seek these people out, they can talk about learning to grow, and avoiding becoming a victim. These people will teach you a lot about perseverance.

As you become leaders you will come across many people who consider themselves victims. Their stories will be compelling. These people have value and found you for a reason. Nobody is a loser while they are still alive. You can lead by motivation, example and goal setting. People who have come to accept losing can be saved with a series of small victories. Each little victory will provide a stepping stone to future successes. Spend the time to help people take the first step. Some will never be able to shake the victim role, let them pursue their own path.

You are entering your careers at an exciting time. The U.S. is making a decision as to what the future will bring. Some will rely on the government and accept well enough. Some will go against society with the thought that an unjust government deserves violence. Avoid both and work to promote the idea of individual achievement, the idea of the family as a source of strength, and the idea that God created this world for his people. You must remember, we are all his people.

Words do mean something. A positive attitude is a gift which must be protected all your days. God sent you here to do something great, make him proud.